Have you ever wanted a secret place to hide something special? Keep reading to find out how to make this cool hide-a-key book. This book is for Christmas, but you could make one for anything. (Or, at least anything small enough to fit inside of a book!)

Today's guest is Marcie from I Gotta Try That.  If you've ever visited Marcie's site, then you know that she is a very talented cake decorator.  Be sure to stop in and see some of her designs.  Today Marcie is sharing a fun idea for families without a fireplace.  If your kids have ever wondered how Santa will get into your home to leave the presents, this post is for you!  Take it away, Marcie!

I am so excited to be here to share a tutorial for One Creative Mommy's 12 Days of Christmas.  I'd like to thank Heidi for this opportunity to share one of my projects with you.  I'm Marcie, and my blog is "I Gotta Try That."  I love to bake, blog, dance, craft, and everything else in between.  When I see something I like, I gotta try it.  Hence the name of my blog.  Today I'm sharing a fun tutorial.

Santa's Magic Key Book

This is simple and pretty inexpensive.  Start with a brown paper bag and a sheet of paper.  You want to trace the paper on the sack and then cut it out.

Now you should have a brown sheet that will fit in your printer.  Copy or download the following picture here, or choose one of your own.  I like this one because it looks old.  Print this on your brown sheet of paper.

Now you will need a book.  I got this one at the dollar store.

I wanted the side and the back of the book brown, so I painted it with brown arylic paint.

Next, take some Mod Podge and spread it along all sides of the paper so that the sheets will stay together.  Put something heavy on it to dry.  We are going to hollow out the book.

While this is drying...

Here is the poem that will go in the book.  It is one I came up with.  There are many other poems online.  Just google them.  If you want this one, you can download it here, then print it out.

Santa's Magic Key

There is a legend, it is true.
A magic key only Santa can do.
His magic makes the key fit right,
so he can get in on Christmas night.
If you have no chimney, don't you fret,
Santa shows up and that you can bet.
His magic key he'll use for sure
and come
right through each child's front door.

Make a pattern the size that you will want for the hole in the book and cut the poem out.

Now take the poem and trace it on the inside of the first page of your book.

Take an x-acto knife and start to hollow out your book several pages at a time.

Keep going until it is as deep as you want it.  If you are like me, you will end up with a big mess.  I am now taking a time out to clean this up! :)

Okay, I am back and ready for the next step.  Put Mod Podge on the inside of the book now.  Same as last time--put something heavy on it until it dries.

Insert your poem.  Did it fit?

Like I said, I want this to look old.  I took a sponge and some brown eye shadow (yes, eye shadow), and I smeared it around on the paper.  I love the way it turned out.

Next, get your key.  This can be any key.  I got this one from a craft store.  You could even use a regular key and paint it.  I tied a ribbon on and put it in my book.

Now for the front of the book.  Take your Santa picture and cut it to the size of your book cover.

Use Mod Podge to attach the picture to the front cover.

Then apply a light coat of Mod Podge on the front of the picture.  Remember it dries clear.

There you have it.  Santa's Magic Key book!  I hope you enjoyed this. I sure enjoyed sharing it.

I would love for you to stop by sometime and visit I Gotta Try That.  You can always drop by on Monday's for my linky party. Merry Christmas!

Thank you so much, Marcie, for sharing this awesome tutorial.  We have a fireplace, but I can think of plenty of other ways to use the hollowed-out book idea!  Be sure to stop by Marcie's site and check out her projects and ideas.  (Don't forget to look at the cakes!)